The Structure of Turbulent Line Vortices

Abstract

A theory is given to explain the observed dependence on Reynolds number of the decay of turbulent line vortices. The discussion considers first the self-similar vortex, in which all quantities are assumed to depend only on the circulation at infinity, the Reynolds number, and the time from a virtual origin. It is argued that the turbulent line vortex has a triple structure: an outer vortex of given radius, an inner vortex, and a viscous core. The axial velocity in the core, produced by growth of a trailing vortex shown to be Reynolds number dependent.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 13, 1972
Accession Number
AD0753131

Entities

People

  • P. G. Saffman

Organizations

  • California Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Angular Momentum
  • Axial Flow
  • Bodies
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Flow
  • Free Flight
  • Layers
  • Reynolds Number
  • Solid Bodies
  • Trailing Vortices
  • Turbulent Boundary Layer
  • Turbulent Flow
  • Viscosity

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.